Cyprus minority sees chance to save ancient language

KORMAKÍTIS-In a village in northern Cyprus, a community struggling to save its ancient language has seen a glimmer of hope in intensified efforts to reunify the divided island. Kormakitis was once the hub of Cyprus’s Maronite minority, descendants of Syrian and Lebanese Christians who spoke Sanna, a unique dialect of Arabic influenced by the Aramaic spoken by Jesus.

Uprooted by the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, many Maronites assimilated into Greek Cypriot communities where they sought shelter. They have seen fresh hope in recent months as the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders intensified their efforts to reunite the island.

Talks in Switzerland ended on November 21 with no breakthrough, but the leaders have since agreed to resume negotiations and are due to meet again in Geneva in January.

The Maronites hope a deal could eventually encourage the community to return to live in northern Cyprus.

That could help revive Sanna, which is in decline despite years of classes, the efforts of NGOs and an annual summer school in the village.

“The problem is that because we have lost our village it’s very difficult to keep our language,” teacher Katy Foradari said, taking a break from teaching Sanna under the vaulted ceiling of an 18th century church in Kormakitis.

Able to visit and stay in the village despite living outside the Turkish-controlled part of the island, young Maronites have attended Sanna classes at a summer camp there every August since 2008.

In sunbaked sandstone chapels and whitewashed bungalows around the small main square, around 100 children aged five to 17 took part in this year’s camp.